up his post in the square on the following evening, a full hour before the needful time, and planting himself behind the pump and pulling his hat over his eyes, began his watch with an elaborate appearance of mystery admirably calculated to excite the suspicion of all beholders. Indeed, divers servant-girls who came to draw water, and sundry little boys who stopped to drink at the ladle, were almost scared out of their senses by the apparition of Newman Noggs looking stealthily round the pump, with nothing of him visible but his face, and that wearing the expression of a meditative Ogre.
Punctual to her time, the messenger came again, and after an interview of rather longer duration than usual, departed. Newman had made two appointments with Nicholas, one for the next evening conditional on his success, and one the next night following which was to be kept under all circumstances. The first night he was not at the place of meeting (a certain tavern about half-way between the City and Golden Square), but on the second night he was there before Nicholas, and received him with open arms.
"It's all right," whispered Newman. "Sit down—sit down, there's a dear young man, and let me tell you all about it."
Nicholas needed no second invitation, and eagerly inquired what was the news.
"There's a great deal of news," said Newman, in a flutter of exultation. "It's all right. Don't be anxious. I don't know where to begin. Never mind that. Keep up your spirits. It's all right."
"Well?" said Nicholas eagerly. "Yes?"
"Yes," replied Newsman. "That's it."
"What's it?" said Nicholas. "The name—the name, my dear fellow."
"The name's Bobster," replied Newman.
"Bobster!" repeated Nicholas, indignantly.
"That's the name," said Newman. "I remembered it by lobster."
"Bobster!" repeated Nicholas, more emphatically than before, "That must be the servant's name."
"No, it an't," said Newman, shaking his head with great positiveness. "Miss Cecilia Bobster."
"Cecilia, eh?" returned Nicholas, muttering the two names together over and over again in every variety of tone, to try the effect. "Well, Cecilia is a pretty name."
"Very. And a pretty creature too," said Newsman.
"Who?" said Nicholas.
"Miss Bobster."
"Why, where have you seen her?" demanded Nicholas.
"Never mind, my dear boy," retorted Noggs, clapping him on the shoulder. "I have seen her. You shall see her. I have managed it all."
"My dear Newman," cried Nicholas, grasping his hand, "are you serious?"
"I am," replied Newman. "I mean it all. Every word. You shall see her to-morrow night. She consents to hear you speak: for
